The moment that Arkansas Tech's football team has been waiting to see for the past three weeks has finally arrived.

The Wonder Boys will open their 2004 season on a different note, hosting Northeastern (Okla.) State in a 7 p.m. contest today at Buerkle Field.

Today marks the first day that college teams are allowed to begin their new seasons. Tech is one of three Gulf South Conference schools to take advantage of the early start, as well as Southern Arkansas and Arkansas-Monticello.

"Honestly, it's time to play a game," Tech coach Steve Mullins said. "As a coach, I'm always thinking we need more time to practice and prepare for the game, but our guys have been hitting the same person through the spring and now through almost 30 practices. It's time for them to hit somebody else.

"I'm really excited about getting the season started and looking forward to the game. I'm sure the players can't wait to get under the lights and play among their families and friends."

The Wonder Boys began the season last year with a Thursday night contest against Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. Being at home, however, will bring a different perspective to tonight's contest, according to Mullins.

"Last year, we stayed in a motel room on that Wednesday night," he said. "But now, our players will be in their dorm rooms, and there's a little concern because their attention will have to be on their classes in the morning.

"We've been stressing a lot about getting into a mindset in this game, and it caused some changes. We held practice on Sunday like it would have been the Tuesday before a Saturday game. I'm hoping our players will mentally geared up for playing a game, and I think they will. There's a lot of excitement with the new faces on the team and the new schemes. I think we'll be ready to go."

Northeastern enters the contest after going 3-8 last season and closed out the season with a 48-31 victory over East Central Oklahoma. Tech faced the Redmen in their season opener in Tahlequah and came away with a 31-20 victory.

The game was close until the final minutes, with Tech owning a 24-14 lead and Northeastern driving. The Redmen were hoping to close the gap to a touchdown with a field goal, but the Wonder Boys blocked the kick. Cedric Cursh then scooped up the ball and raced 95 yards untouched for the clinching score.

Northeastern jumped out to a 7-0 lead by returning an interception for a touchdown, but the Redmen were bitten by the turnover bug eight times. Cedric Flemons benefitted from one of quarterback Forrest Mazey's four interceptions, returning one for a score.

Mazey returns after setting school single-season marks in completions (142) and passing yards (1,703), and two of his top three receivers are back. John King, who caught the Redmen's final touchdown pass in the game against Tech, hauled in 33 passes for 398 yards and three scores last season, while Josh Richey was more of a depth threat with 669 yards and five touchdowns on 28 receptions.

Defensively, Northeastern returns its top three tacklers from last season, with middle linebacker Kevin Christian recording 108 total tackles, including 12 for 32 yards in losses. Strong safety Terry Grayson had 88 tackles and led the team in interceptions with four, while defensive end Travis Creech had 78 tackles, including a team-high four quarterback sacks.

"What we know about Northeastern is based off of what we have tried to learn from last year's game tapes," Mullins said. "I know the offense was fairly strong at the end of the season, with a good operator at quarterback and some special receivers."

Just as much as a mystery will be Tech to the Redmen. The Wonder Boys will have entirely new personnel at all of the offensive skill positions and will run a new scheme under offensive coordinator Todd Cooley, while the defense will also sport a new 4-2-5 alignment.

Mullins said he was pleased as the improvement his team made in its final preseason scrimmage last week.

"I was really proud of the execution of our team," he said. "I thought we made a lot of progress as far as the offense moving the ball and the defense not missing tackles. The newcomers have shown a little bit of excitement out there, and I'm sure that enthusiasm will be turned up even higher in the first game.

"We still need to work on protecting the ball, although I feel we are much improved in that department from last season. We're also having way too many penalties, and that is a big disappointment right now. As far as our health, this has been our best preseason in a few years. Almost everybody is healthy and ready to go."

The game will be broadcast on Russellville radio station KWKK (100.9 FM) and will feature Sam Strasner and former Wonder Boy coach Don Dempsey with the call.